Changes of myelin basic protein expression in the white matter of young rats with sepsis

Abstract

Objective To investigate the relationship between endotoxin infection and demyelinating lesions of the central nervous system, and to provide evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods Sixty-four healthy Wistar rats(18 days old), weighting 30~40 g, were randomly divided into two groups: control group and lipopolysaccharide(LPS) group.LPS group was intraperitoneally injected with 5 mg/kg LPS to prepare rat sepsis model.The control group received intraperitoneal injection of saline of equal volume.All surving animals were anesthetized at the set time 2 h, 4 h, 6 h and 12 h after administration(8 rats at each time point), and craniotomy after taking blood from the heart.Myelin injury was staining by luxol fast blue.Immunohistochemical staining and Western blot were used to detect the expression of myelin basic protein(MBP) in rat brain at different time points.The expression of the MBP protein in serum detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Results Observed under light microscope after luxol fast blue staining, the myelin sheath of the white matter in the brain was disordered, sparse and stained lightly from 6 to 12 hours in LPS group.Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical test results showed that the expression of MBP protein in the LPS group was decreased compared with the control group at 2 h, 4 h and 6 h after LPS administration(P 0.05). The serum ELISA results showed that the serum MBP levels in the LPS group increased at 2 h, 4 h, 6 h and 12 h after LPS administration(P<0.05). Conclusion In rat sepsis model, MBP protein expression in the white matter decreases, serum MBP protein content increases, and the decreasing of MBP protein expression is associated with matter myelin injury. Key words: Lipopolysaccharide; Sepsis; Demyelination; Myelin basic protein